State of Indiana Archives: on Homeland Security

Mark Hurt:
Increase high tech weapons

Hurt would like to see targeted and strategic increased spending on technologically advanced military weapons systems, and believes issues such as border security on both northern and southern borders should
include the expansion of the use of sensors and satellite technologies, now in use in Israel, which can better defend those areas from tunnels and provide surveillance for meandering rivers which flow miles in and miles from the fluid U.S. border.

Source: 2018 Indiana Senatorial website MarkHurt.com
Oct 15, 2017

Todd Rokita:
Project American power around the world to deter aggression

Our soldiers need to be well-prepared to deter, and if necessary, destroy all enemies, whether they threaten us at home or abroad. We need a Navy and Air Force capable of projecting American power around the world to deter aggression.
However, we should be as selective as possible before engaging on foreign ground knowing that when we do we will not be leaving for a very long time if history is any guide.

Source: 2018 Indiana Senatorial website ToddRokita.com
Oct 1, 2017

Mark Hurt:
Could support transgender military ban

About Trump's executive order banning transgender people from the military, Hurt said he will support the ban if Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and others determine the presence of transgender military troops "negatively impacts
our military preparedness, our military readiness." "I have no problem with the recommendation" to ban transgender military members, added Hurt, noting that he originally supported the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy when Bill Clinton was president.

Source: The Kokomo Tribune on 2018 Indiana Senate race
Sep 1, 2017

Mark Hurt:
Strategic increased spending on military weapons systems

Hurt spoke strongly about the need for more active duty military personnel, a better focus and enhanced resources for reservists and National Guardsmen, and unwavering support for veterans who have served the United States.

Hurt would like to see targeted and strategic increased spending on technologically advanced military weapons systems, and believes issues
such as border security on both northern and southern borders should include the expansion of the use of sensors and satellite technologies, now in use in
Israel, which can better defend those areas from tunnels and provide surveillance for meandering rivers which flow miles in and miles from the fluid U.S. border.

Hurt, who earned a Master Degree focused on international relations from Baylor University, noted that America must maintain peace through strength & work with countries like Russia, in a more comprehensive and targeted plan to fight against terrorism.

He envisions our having a unique opportunity to work with such countries to eliminate ISIS in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Hurt encourages renegotiation of the Iranian Nuclear Agreement that is not a treaty under US or international law.

Source: 2018 Indiana Senate race website, MarkHurt.org
Mar 3, 2017

Jim Banks:
Rebuild American greatness; make our military mighty again

A strong national defense is a deterrent to those who seek to do us and our allies harm, yet the current administration in Washington has done more to weaken our military and our reputation of might & strength than any administration in modern history.
Jim Banks is uniquely qualified to serve as our next Congressman and work toward rebuilding American greatness at home and abroad, making our military mighty again and projecting strength rather than weakness to our enemies.

As our national defense becomes increasingly reliant on the reserves and the guard to supplant the full-time military, policymakers who understand the toll that additional reliance takes on their personnel,
their families and their employers are critical if rational policy decisions can be expected from Washington, D.C.

Source: 2016 Indiana House campaign website JimBanks.us
Nov 8, 2016

John Gregg:
Increase federal vet benefits by 10%, plus state services

The benefits veterans earn during their services are mostly federal benefits. As such, John Gregg's administration will work with federal officials to draw down new sources of federal funding to support Hoosier veterans and their families.

Gregg supports innovative policies like full "freedom of choice" that will allow veterans to choose health care providers closer to their homes.

Governor Gregg will support the creation of a marketing and outreach campaign to help veterans
learn benefits for which they are eligible and how to access them.

Gregg will conduct a comprehensive review of the current job placement system, evaluate what is working and reform what is not.

If Indiana increased the amount of benefits received by our veterans by just 10 percent--a completely reasonable number--an additional $853 million would flow into the state every year, generating approximately $17 million in tax revenues.

Pence signed more than a dozen bills he says will expand benefits and opportunities for Indiana's military servicemembers and veterans. [One veteran's spokesperson], who led the Indiana National Guard for 11 years, says he's particularly pleased with
one that expands the Military Family Relief Fund. That program was originally created to help post-9/11 veterans pay food, housing, utility, transportation and medical bills. Umbarger says the legislation extends that help to all veterans.

Eric Holcomb:
Peace through strength, not peace through hope

I support peace through strength and believe that doctrine will make America safer, stronger and freer. In fact, when I served in the United States Navy we had a president who pursued that strategy, put together a coalition of willing nations to
justly halt a territorial grab in the heart of the Middle East and brought a swift conclusion to Desert Storm.

Today, we aren't so fortunate to have that type of leadership. From Russia to Iran to ISIS, our current foreign policy is focused on peace
through hope. Our commander-in-chief is more interested, it seems, in polishing his Nobel Peace Prize than providing American leadership around the globe, and the void has been filled by others with ill intentions.
In order to combat these threats, we must attract, train and equip the best fighting force the world will ever know and honor our commitment to the veterans who already have given so much.

A majority of the debate questions focused more on foreign policy and national security--Lugar's specialty as ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He frequently touted his nuclear nonproliferation program--
co-authored 20 years ago with then-Sen. Sam Nunn (a Democrat)--the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) nonproliferation program following the Cold War.

Joe Donnelly:
Focus on fiscal discipline and strong national security

In 2006, Donnelly was elected to U.S. Congress to represent Indiana's 2nd District. He is currently serving his third term after being reelected in 2008 and 2010. He is a member of the Blue Dog
Coalition which promotes a moderate agenda that includes fiscal discipline and strong national security. Joe also serves on two important committees that help meet the diverse needs of Indiana's 2nd District: Financial Services and Veteran's Affairs.